WASHINGTON - NASA has issued a request for proposals for Ares I mobile launcher construction. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The mobile launcher proposals are due to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 6, 2007.

The request for proposals states the procurement approach for obtaining the mobile launcher system. The mobile launcher will be used as a platform to assemble, test and service Ares I in existing facilities, transport the rocket to the pad, and support launches.

The selected contractor will supply all labor, materials and equipment to build the mobile launcher structure and its associated facility systems. These systems include utilities, fire safety, communications, lighting, elevators and life support. The request for proposal includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher.

sts118s001 -- STS-118 Insignia Like all shuttle missions, STS-118 is about the future: putting the International Space Station a step closer to completion and gathering experience that will help people return to the moon and go on to Mars.

But this mission also will see a two decade-old dream realized and a vision of inspiration completed. Twenty-two years after first being selected as Christa McAuliffe's backup in the Teacher in Space Project, Barbara Morgan will strap into space shuttle Endeavour as a fully-trained astronaut. She is one of five mission specialists in the seven-member crew.

HOUSTON - NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT.

NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA Web coverage of STS-118 includes current mission information, interactive features, and news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-member crew lifted off at 6:36 p.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The astronauts are on their way to the International Space Station for an assembly mission, designated STS-118.

"This is serious business we're in here," said Endeavour's Commander Scott Kelly to the shuttle launch director shortly before lift off. "I'm proud of your team for getting Endeavour ready to go fly. I'm also proud of my crew and the rest of the astronaut office for the competence and professionalism and consistently making something that is incredibly difficult look easy."

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Teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan received a welcome call of support from First Lady Laura Bush Tuesday, one day before she and six crewmates launch into orbit aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavour.

"Mrs. Bush expressed congratulations from one schoolteacher to another and noted that she and the President appreciate Ms. Morgan's commitment to America's space program, to teaching, and to students," White House officials said of the First Lady's call in a statement.

Morgan and her six STS-118 crewmates are set to launch Wednesday at 6:36 p.m. EDT (2236 GMT) from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin Endeavour's construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS).